NEW YORK — Alex Galchenyuk tipped in a pass at the right post 1:12 into overtime, and the Montreal Canadiens overcame a late tying goal and beat the New York Rangers 3-2 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals Thursday night.

Montreal cut New York’s series lead to 2-1, and can tie it Sunday night at Madison Square Garden before heading home for Game 5.

Galchenyuk, playing only his second game of these playoffs after returning from an injury Monday, deflected Tomas Plekanec’s feed to win it.

“To be honest, I have no idea what happened,” Galchenyuk said. “I was going to the net, and (Plekanec) hit the puck. He put it on net, and it bounced off my stick or hit me. It went in, and the celebration started from there.”

The Rangers tied it with 28.1 seconds left in regulation on Chris Kreider’s goal.

Dustin Tokarski was sharp throughout in his second NHL playoff game in place of injured goalie Carey Price, making 35 saves.

New York had its five-game winning streak snapped, and its run of six straight victories over the Canadiens also ended. The Rangers fell to 1-1 in overtime in these playoffs. The Canadiens are 3-1.

“We played really well, but we just have to forget about it, move on, and get ready for the next one,” said Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who made 22 saves.

Montreal was poised to win it in regulation after Danny Briere scored with 3:02 left in the third, but Kreider matched him when his shot hit the sliding right skate of Canadiens defenseman Alexei Emelin in the crease and caromed past Tokarski, who thrust his head upward in disgust as Madison Square Garden shook.

“It was a real tough game,” Galchenyuk said. “They tied it with 20 seconds left, and it was an emotional game. It was tough coming back in the locker room, but we focused. We have a character team, and we bounced back.”

Tokarski was playing in his second straight game because of a series-ending injury suffered by Price, who was barreled into by Kreider in Game 1.

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